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Londolozi Live

Membership overview

We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

Quick sign in/sign up

Tired of new passwords? Link your social media account of choice for instant, secure access to Londolozi Live.

Who are you?

Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

Track your activity

Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

Increase your ranking

Earn prowess and rank up as you interact with Londolozi Live and earn a spot on the monthly points leaderboard.

Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

Curate your own galleryNEW

Add your favorite photographs from around Londolozi Live to your very own Favorites gallery, using the ♡ button, for others to enjoy.

Purchase full res photosNEW

Buy your favorite photos in full resolution, easily and securely, for download at any time from your Profile Page.

Home of leopards

Tell us which of the Leopards of Londolozi you've encountered during your visit! Their cards will move to your profile page collection.

Rent gear

Need a camera for your stay? Book it online and hassle free. Travel to Londolozi light and easy.

The new Canon 100-400mm lens (which Canon has been re-working for the last ten years) has been improved massively from its previous version. I am fortunate enough to own this lens myself and have been putting it to the test over the last couple of months.

In terms of the quality of the build of the lens compared to the previous model, it is impossible to fault. The lens is built like a tank with an all-metal body and is weather sealed, which is hugely beneficial in the often wet and dusty conditions out here. Surprisingly, the lens is very light and compact, user friendly and is easy to manage hand held. The most marked change from the older version is that the push-pull design has been replaced by a standard zoom ring design. I have found this new design far smoother and easier to manage as the camera moves about less and is easier to hold when zooming in or out. This is particularly beneficial when filming, as zooming in and out of subjects or creating a focus pull is noticeably smoother and easier. The new design also has a feature on the lens where you can adjust the ring to be smoother or tighter. On first try, I found the ring to be a but too tight but with a bit of use the zoom ring has loosened and feels perfectly smooth.

In terms of the optical performance of the lens, I personally cannot fault it at all. Each time I have used the lens I am in awe of how sharp the images it produces are and I am very impressed with the way it performs. In my opinion (and I am willing to put this to the test) at its widest aperture the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens is as sharp as the legendary Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens wide open at f/2.8.

The Ndzanzeni female’s youngster perches in the treetops. Incredibly enough this leopard’s mother as well as the Inyatini male leopard were in this tree at the same time. Shot at 1/40 Sec at f/5.6. ISO 125, 321mm.

Inyathini 3:3 Male

When fully zoomed in to 400mm, the lens produces excellent images where the subject is extremely sharp and the background is out of focus. Ideally as a wildlife photographer, this is often what we aim to achieve, especially when the backgrounds are messy and therefore distracting from the subject.

A wild dog pauses momentarily, allowing me the opportunity to capture this portrait. We followed this pack all afternoon as they hunted impala through the clearings north of the river. Shot at 1/320 Sec f/7.1. ISO 640, 400mm.

The tailless lioness’ threatening stare from high up in the trees after having stolen a kill from the Mashaba female leopard. Shot at 1/1600 Sec at f/7.1. ISO 800, 400mm.

Mashaba 3:3 Female

The Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens has three different stabilisation modes and claims 4-stops of stabilization. The first stabilises the image on all axis, the second is designed to work when panning horizontally, and the third mode only engages stabilisation when the shutter is released. In less technical speak, this is extremely handy when one shoots hand held, at the full extent of the 400mm zoom, and here in the bush where there may be some movement on the vehicle.

The autofocus of the lens is extremely fast and accurate. The autofocus also tracks movement very well, which is ideal for wildlife photography, as one is often tracking animals such as leopards or lions on the move or birds in flight. From the research out there and from my own personal experience, I can see why this lens is proving to be such a hit amongst our guests too. If you’re wanting to use a lens whilst on safari and are not keen to lug one all the way from home or want to test drive this new and improved Canon model, visit our photography rental site here for more information.

About the Author

Kylie Jones

Photography Manager

Being someone who loves the bush, people and photography Kylie has found her way to her dream job in the Londolozi Studio. Despite completing her Humanities Degree, she felt unsatisfied and found herself drawn to doing a wildlife photography course. Being both creative ...

11 Comments

on Review of Our Most Popular Lens

Interesting article. I’m a Nikon user but found similarities between the two brands in using long focal length lens. While in Sabi Sands in February I primarily used a 70-200mm lens and had great results. It helped that the animals weren’t shy and were almost too close. Thank you for the camera settings.

Hi Denise. The 70-200mm lens is also a great lens as it is incredibly sharp and produces amazing images with a very low depth of field of F/2.8. We are very lucky here that we are able to get close to the animals and so sure does help with capturing a good shot.

I agree 100%, Kylie. I also own this lens and it is my ‘go to’ lens on safari. Its fast focusing ability is crucial in photographing the action you often see in the bush. I use a wide angle for close up animal sightings, but this is the lens I have in my hands 90% of the time.

Hi Darlene, the fast focusing ability is just amazing and sure does help out a lot when tracking a leopard or lion on the move. It is always great to have more than one lens at hand, what wide angle do you use?

Hi Kylie, I have the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens as my wide angle. I often carry my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens for early morning, late evening. It is heavy, so I hesitate, but it comes in so handy for those brief moments! Thanks for asking!

Kylie, We couldn’t agree more about the lens. Huge difference from the older one and it was perfect for our wildlife photos at Londolozi. Thanks for your coaching while we were there. Can’t wait to head back!

Thanks so much Michael! The new 100-400mm is the perfect go to lens for Canon users here at Londolozi, as I know you are well aware, the light weight, the fast autofocus, and it produces extremely sharp photographs, it is one of Canon’s best current value-for-money lenses. I look forward to seeing you here on your next visit.

I have been struggling with the ‘right lens’ for years. I currently have a Tamron 150-600mm. I’ve had a Nikon 100-400mm but wanted more reach. The Tamron does that but in a trade-off for more weight. Maybe the 100-400mm with a 1.4x extender?? I’d welcome your thoughts. Thanks.

Hi Jeff, The 100-400mm with a 1.4x extender would be the perfect option for you as you will get that further zoom that you would get on your 150-600mm. The image quality of the 100-400mm stumps the 150-600mm in my opinion, and so I would definitely advise purchasing the new 100-400mm lens. If you have any further questions about the 100-400mm lens, I am more than happy to help.

Thanks so much for sharing this info, Kylie. I agree that the 100-400mm lens is super sharp, and so easy to use. When I first used it, I thought it was going to feel too big and bulky, but it actually took a very short amount of time to get used to, and is incredibly versatile. It really is a great lens, and one that I would highly recommend for any safari-goer, whether they are first timers or experienced. Thanks for the great post!

Associates & Awards

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Purchase a photograph

Our best photographs are available for purchase in digital format from the Londolozi Live Fine Art Store, via credit card. Purchasable photos are tagged with the Fine Art Store icon:

Once purchased, you will be able to download the full resolution, unwatermarked image (around 10Mb) from your profile page at any time. There are also different license options which you can choose from when adding the image to your cart.

To add any purchasable image to your cart, press the Purchase/Add to cart buttons next to an image, from anywhere across Londolozi Live:

Badges

Badges are awarded for achieving various things and come with a bunch of points in tow. Here's an example badge:

We've had the pleasure of hosting you here at Londolozi and together we've experienced the magic of the wild and now you're part of the family. You've let us know about your past visits while editing your Profile.

Londolozi Guest

Awarded for visiting Londolozi.

1000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Guest badge

Each badge has a basic version, such as the Londolozi Guest badge above, and then a specialist version:

Londolozi Lifer

Awarded for visiting Londolozi three times.

2000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Lifer badge

To see all the badges on offer and find out how to grab them, visit the Badge Showcase or click on any badge you happen to find out there in the wild.

Senior Digital Ranger

Digital Tracker

Master Tracker

Guest

We've had the pleasure of hosting you here at Londolozi and together we've experienced the magic of the wild and now you're part of the family. You've let us know about your past visits while editing your Profile.

You've earned the badge:

Londolozi Guest

Awarded for visiting Londolozi.

1000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Guest badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

Londolozi Lifer

Leopard

On a trip to Londolozi you've been lucky enough to spot a leopard of Londolozi. You've encountered the leopard's profile card on the Blog and pressed the 'Spotted this Leopard?' button to record your sighting.

Lion Fanatic

Photographer

You've got an eye for the wilderness and have had your photographic journal from your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to enjoy. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

You've earned the badge:

Photographer

Awarded for submitting a photo story.

700

prowess earned

for earning the Photographer badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

Master Photographer

Storyteller

You've got the gift of the storyteller and have had a tale of your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to marvel at around the camp fire. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

Art Specialist

Good Work Foundation

You recongise the rare privilege it is to be able to experience the untamed beauty of the natural world, and have found an opportunity to give back through The Good Work Foundation, for the sake of others, your children and the wild. You've let us know about your donations while editing your Profile.

You've earned the badge:

GWF Patron

Awarded for donating to The Good Work Foundation.

500

prowess earned

for earning the GWF Patron badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

GWF Protector

Curator

You've curated your own Favorites gallery by ♡ing at least 15 photographs which you absolutely love from around Londolozi Live. If your Favorites gallery has caught the eye of the Fine Art site Editor and is featured, you've also earned the esteemed Featured Curator badge.

Londolozi Live

Membership Overview

Londolozi Live

Membership overview

We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

Quick sign in/sign up

Tired of new passwords? Link your social media account of choice for instant, secure access to Londolozi Live.

Who are you?

Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

Track your activity

Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

Increase your ranking

Earn prowess and rank up as you interact with Londolozi Live and earn a spot on the monthly points leaderboard.

Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

Curate your own galleryNEW

Add your favorite photographs from around Londolozi Live to your very own Favorites gallery, using the ♡ button, for others to enjoy.

Purchase full res photosNEW

Buy your favorite photos in full resolution, easily and securely, for download at any time from your Profile Page.

Home of leopards

Tell us which of the Leopards of Londolozi you've encountered during your visit! Their cards will move to your profile page collection.

Rent gear

Need a camera for your stay? Book it online and hassle free. Travel to Londolozi light and easy.

sightings by Members

The Leopards of Londolozi

Since 1979 Londolozi has had a love affair with leopards. Over the last four decades, this dynasty has been chronicled by the many guides and trackers, past and present, who have worked at Londolozi.

You can visit the Mashaba 4:3 Female's dedicated profile page to access a rich trove of information about this leopard, including family tree, unique markings, territory maps, timelines and a host of stunning images and videos.